The Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) has released a new landing page on its website that offers numerous opportunities to learn more about the Black experience in Oklahoma. Visit www.okhistory.org/blackhistory to start exploring. “Drawing attention to the legacy of racism is not enough to make permanent change,” said Dr. Bob Blackburn, executive director of the OHS. […]
Clara Luper
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Black state
Before statehood, Oklahoma was seen nationally as a promised land for black people. Edward McCabe, who founded the town of Langston and its university, hoped to make Oklahoma an all-black state, and though that never came to be, it drew many black people to migrate here in pursuit of freedom. Because of that, more all-black […]
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Better together
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Coalition has never done quite as much outreach as it’s doing this year. The coalition is going the extra mile as it readies to celebrate four decades honoring the late civil rights icon with the theme “40 Years — Better Together.” Anthony Sherrod, the group’s volunteer coordinator, has […]
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Cover: Beyond preservation
Before Michael Schwarz could even fully process the orange flames jumping on the television screen, he jumped in his car and made his fastest-ever drive on a familiar trek down to Spencer where the historic Dunjee School — a place he had visited 20 to 30 times after getting involved with the group Abandoned Oklahoma […]
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Building’s fate
The old city jail was saved from demolition for now, but there are no concrete plans to move forward with redevelopment. The resolution to apply for demolition was deferred four times before a decision was made. It was first discussed June 4 and then every two weeks until Aug. 13, with councilmembers disagreeing on the […]
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Revitalizing Freedom
Efforts are underway to revitalize and repair one of Oklahoma’s most important civil rights landmarks into a community hub. Freedom Center, 2609 N. Martin Luther King Ave., served as the headquarters of NAACP Youth Council. Led by Clara Luper, the group organized a sit-in in 1958 at Katz Drug Store, effectively launching the nation’s sit-in […]
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Vital disobedience
60th anniversary march and sit-in reenactment 9 a.m. Aug. 18 Midtown from Frontline Church to Kaiser’s Grateful Bean Cafe 1 E. Sheridan Ave., Suite 100 405-642-4486 Free The Oklahoma City sit-in movement of the late 1950s and ’60s is known for staying nonviolent as it pressed toward its civil rights goals. But while local protests […]
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Fifty nine years ago, 13 youth and their teacher found courage by taking seats at the Katz Drug Store counter and refusing to leave until they were served
Fifty nine years ago, 13 youth and their teacher Clara Luper found courage by taking seats at the Katz Drug Store counter and refusing to leave until they were served. The action was pivotal to the civil rights movement.
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Local prayer breakfast celebrates the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The 20th annual Midwest City Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast starts 7 a.m. Jan. 16.
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Oklahoma State School Boards Association plans to launch digital textbook and lesson program
When it launches in January, Oklahoma Library of Digital Resources will feature textbooks for nine courses.